Page 22 of January Blues
I was so getting fired.
The CEO and a security team escorted me to my office, and Quill to his cubicle, after our short chat. Jacqueleen had been right, Mars Acquisitions had a very strict no demon policy that meant instant dismissal now that my other side was free.
“I’m truly very sorry, Mr. Valentine, but we cannot, as a company, be seen to be using influence that demons so readily use in the workplace.”
While I did understand the idea, there were so many ways to ensure I wasn’t using my abilities. It felt like discrimination. I could do the job. Had been doing the job so well that they were promoting me years ahead of a standard track employee. Yet now I was my full self, I wasn’t trustworthy enough to gain deals on my own merit? Bunch of bullshit.
I packed up my office under security’s watchful gaze, gathering my small amount of possessions into a box they had provided. Quill, I couldn’t think of him as Toth here, was standing waiting by the elevator for me, with everything he needed in his pockets.
Austin smirked at me from his office doorway. Guess it was obvious who was to blame for all this.
Quill took my box in one hand and wrapped his arm around me. “Let’s go.” He didn’t spare a look for anyone else, and I followed his lead. Tears flowed as we got into his car. “What do you need?” he asked.
“You. Just you.”
“Okay. I’ll take you home.”
In the peaceful silence of my apartment, Toth undressed me slowly. He worshiped my body with his tongue. Showed me how much he valued me with every touch. As he sank down on my cock, he whispered, “I’m with you, always.”
We made love in the late morning sun; the light hitting Toth’s horns and extended wings. He was glorious as he brought us to our peak. Tender as he held me after as I cried for my crumbling life.
“I’ve got you, Cody.”
January 19th
Toth
Mymatewashurting,and it was my fault.
The sun was yet to rise, but as a full demon I didn’t need much sleep. Cody clearly was more human in this aspect. I’d held my mate all through the night as he slept, comforting him as best as I was able. I’d summoned Hela to me so that she could meet Cody when he woke. Cat cuddles helped, didn’t they?
My hellcat was looking distinctly… chubby. I’d left an automatic feeder going for her before heading out for my date, just in case. A hungry Hela was a dangerous Hela. I’d learned that the hard way. It was obvious she had broken into it. I’d go to the small apartment I’d leased and find crumbs, I was sure of it.
She curled up on his feet, purring to herself. “Nice to see you too,” I whispered.
Cody stirred from his place in my arms. During the evening, he’d cried so hard that his horns returned to the void inside him. Then, once he realized they were gone, he’d cried again. Something about being useless, which was ridiculous. It took young demons years to show the level of control that was instinctual for him.
He looked so small and precious in my arms. “Hela,” I called quietly, “come meet your new master.”
My hellcat might think of me as her master, yet I didn’t own her. She chose to be with me. I’d found her as a kitten all alone. I guess she’d imprinted on me at first glance. While I’d tried to return her to her family, it was a lost cause. Once picked by a hellcat, I was owned by one. Now she had to decide if my mate met her satisfaction.
Hela stood, arched her back in a stretch and tiptoed her way up our bodies. If she put a paw in my groin, then I’m sure it was an accident and not petty revenge at being left alone for so long. She sniffed him carefully, ruffling his hair. He wriggled in response and she began purring. Perfect. He met with her approval. I hadn’t wanted the ones most important to me in my life to be at odds.
Slowly, he opened those pretty brown eyes. This close, I could see they were flecked with green and gold. There were traces of redness and puffiness from all the crying, but he was still perfect to me.
Hela made a chirruping meow in welcome to her new master, butting her head against his chin, then brushing their cheeks together.
“Oh! Hello, beautiful!”
Her purrs ratcheted up a notch as he scratched behind her ears and began cooing at her.
“This is Hela. I wanted her to meet you since she now belongs to you, too. Or rather we belong to her. It’s a hellcat thing.”
“Hellcat?”
“You’ll see once you get to know each other better. Best give her plenty of love, our pet has been neglected of late.”
Cody grabbed Hela into his arms and sat up, almost pushing me from the bed. “Oh, my goddess! I’ve always wanted a pet. She’s so pretty!” He turned to smush his face into her fur and cooed, “who’s the most beautiful?” Then he turned more serious. “I’m not sure if I’m allowed pets here, though.” He frowned, the expression foreign to his usually smiling face.
